ExxonMobil has, together with its partners in the Mozambique Rovuma Venture submitted the development plan to the government for the first phase of the Rovuma LNG project, which will produce, liquefy and market natural gas from the Mamba fields located in the Area 4 block offshore Mozambique.

The plan details the proposed design and construction of two liquefied natural gas trains which will each produce 7.6 million tons of LNG per year.

ExxonMobil will lead the construction and operation of natural gas liquefaction and related facilities on behalf of the joint venture, and Eni will lead the construction and operation of upstream facilities.

“As the Rovuma LNG project progresses, every effort will be made to actively build the local workforce and supplier capabilities in Mozambique,” ExxonMobil said on Monday.

Liam Mallon, president of ExxonMobil Development Company said:“We are excited to be progressing the Rovuma LNG project, working with the government and leveraging the expertise and capabilities of all of the partners,”

“The Rovuma LNG Project is moving forward swiftly,” said Stefano Maione, Eni’s executive vice-president for the Mozambique Program. “The size of the project makes it not only an important investment in the country, but also supports economic growth and opens new opportunities for Mozambicans.”

FID in 2019, start-up in 2024

A final investment decision by the Area 4 joint venture parties is scheduled in 2019, with LNG production expected to start in 2024. Marketing activities are progressing, with negotiations on sales and purchase agreements underway, targeting completion in parallel with the development plan approval process.

Rovuma LNG is operated by Mozambique Rovuma Venture S.p.A., an incorporated joint venture owned by ExxonMobil, Eni and CNPC, which holds a 70 percent interest in the Area 4 concession alongside its partners Galp, KOGAS and Empresa Nacional de Hidrocarbonetos E.P. (ENH), each of which hold a 10 percent interest.

ExxonMobil in June said it had made significant progress on marketing the Rovuma gas, and that it was in active negotiations on binding sales and purchase agreements for Rovuma LNG with some affiliated buyer entities of the Area 4 co-venturers.